When believers do a little self-reflection, web not many of us point to joylessness as the thing that needs attention. Mostly we flagellate ourselves for our undisciplined discipleship. We issue calls to repent of our consumerism, dentist sign ecumenical concords to heal our divisions, for sale and issue manifestos to care for the poor and the planet. No one has yet issued a joint ecumenical statement on the need for Christians to be more joyful.

Yet it’s right there in the Bible, over and over: “I say it again: Rejoice!”

We are not called to make choices that will make us happy. Doing things simply because they feel good or make us happy in the short-term many times bring long-term pain and depression. We are called in the Word to be content and rejoice. You can be happy with everything in your life with the right focus.